Building Affinity With Society

Darlington Building Society is giving the region’s community the opportunity to decide how 25 charities will share a donation of £16,000.

Following a vote by the building society’s members earlier this year, it was highlighted that assisting others, elderly and loneliness and medical research were the key groups of people the members would like the society to support.

The results of this vote led to the employees from the organisation’s 10 branches each selecting a charity in each category they feel passionately about.

A public vote is now open to decide how the total sum is shared between the 25 charities, which include local organisations St Teresa’s Hospice, Cash for Kids and the Teesdale & Weardale Search and Rescue team.

A total of £1,600 is available per branch to be donated between the three shortlisted charities. The charity receiving the highest number of votes per branch will be named affinity partner and benefit from a £1,000 donation as well as from all in-branch fundraising activities throughout the year.

Brand and Customer Insight Officer, Josh Palin, believes the society’s campaign is a great way to involve the community in the process of selecting these beneficiaries.

He said: “Listening to what our members say is extremely important to Darlington Building Society but we also want to give the people of our region a chance to have their say on who we support.

“We want everyone in the community to feel involved because there are so many organisations that do fantastic work around us. Through this programme, we hope to be able to support the charities our members and the public feel have the greatest need.”

Kathleen Rickaby, customer service consultant at the society’s Cockerton branch, is delighted that the Alzheimer’s Society has been shortlisted for her branch as the organisation has a strong, personal connection.

She said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for the staff at all branches to give back to charities that mean a great deal to them.

“The Alzheimer’s Society has offered support to myself and my wider family in recent years so I’m very pleased that they, as well as all other shortlisted charities, will receive some support from the affinity initiative.”

Due to their value in the community, three charities were honoured by being shortlisted in multiple branches.

The voting process is now open to the public and members at www.darlington.co.uk or any Darlington Building Society branch. Voting will close on Sunday September, 17th.